The Grinch and his canine cohort, Max, plot against the residents of Whoville in the animated special ''Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas'' (Times Union archive)

The Grinch and his canine cohort, Max, plot against the residents of Whoville in the animated special ''Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas'' (Times Union archive)

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FILE - In this file image originally provided by United Feature Syndicate Inc. VIA ABC TV, Charlie Brown and Linus appear in a scene from "A Charlie Brown Christmas," a television special based on the "Peanuts" comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. Charles Schulz' comic-strip and cartoon characters will star in their own animated film scheduled to hit theaters Nov. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/ABC, 1965 United Feature Syndicate Inc., File) **NO SALES** **MANDATORY CREDIT: United Feature Syndicate Inc. ** less

FILE - In this file image originally provided by United Feature Syndicate Inc. VIA ABC TV, Charlie Brown and Linus appear in a scene from "A Charlie Brown Christmas," a television special based on the "Peanuts" ... more

Photo: CHARLES M. SCHULTZ

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Charlie chats with Linus in the snow in this frame from ABC's "A Charlie Brown Christmas." The seasonal special airs on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m., EST, with a repeat the following Friday, Dec. 13 at 9 p.m., EST. (AP Photo/ 1965 United Features Syndicate Inc.) less

Charlie chats with Linus in the snow in this frame from ABC's "A Charlie Brown Christmas." The seasonal special airs on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 8 p.m., EST, with a repeat the following Friday, Dec. 13 at 9 p.m., EST. ... more

Photo: LEE MENDELSON PRODUCTIONS INC

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FILE - In this file image originally provided by United Feature Syndicate Inc. VIA ABC TV, Charlie Brown and Linus appear in a scene from "A Charlie Brown Christmas," a television special based on the "Peanuts" comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. Charles Schulz' comic-strip and cartoon characters will star in their own animated film scheduled to hit theaters Nov. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/ABC, 1965 United Feature Syndicate Inc., File) **NO SALES** **MANDATORY CREDIT: United Feature Syndicate Inc. ** less

FILE - In this file image originally provided by United Feature Syndicate Inc. VIA ABC TV, Charlie Brown and Linus appear in a scene from "A Charlie Brown Christmas," a television special based on the "Peanuts" ... more

Photo: CHARLES M. SCHULTZ

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ADVANCE FOR TUESDAY PMS, NOV. 24--Santa stands beside his favorite reindeer, Rudolph, in a scene from 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,' television's longest-running special. CBS will rebroadcast the classic animated feature this Christmas season, on Nov. 30 at 8 p.m., EST. It was originally broadcast on CBS (AP Photo/CBS) less

ADVANCE FOR TUESDAY PMS, NOV. 24--Santa stands beside his favorite reindeer, Rudolph, in a scene from 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,' television's longest-running special. CBS will rebroadcast the classic ... more

Photo: CBS

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(GANNETT PHOTO NETWORK) TV-CHARLIEBROWN: Transforming a simple little tree into a thing of beauty with a lot of love and attention--and some canine star power--are 'Peanuts,' Snoopy, top, Charlie Brown, left to right, Lucy and Linus, in 'A Charlie Brown Christmas.' (GNS Photo) less

(GANNETT PHOTO NETWORK) TV-CHARLIEBROWN: Transforming a simple little tree into a thing of beauty with a lot of love and attention--and some canine star power--are 'Peanuts,' Snoopy, top, Charlie Brown, left to ... more

Frosty and his friends set off in search of the North Pole, in 'Frosty The Snowman,' the classic animated musical special narrated by Jimmy Durante. 'Frosty' airs on CBS at 8 p.m., EST, Friday, Nov. 30, 2001. (AP Photo/CBS) less

Frosty and his friends set off in search of the North Pole, in 'Frosty The Snowman,' the classic animated musical special narrated by Jimmy Durante. 'Frosty' airs on CBS at 8 p.m., EST, Friday, Nov. 30, 2001. ... more

Photo: CBS

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119725 (BC-BPI-HOLIDAYTREND) Mention holiday movies and most folks thoughts probably drift to such sugar-plum pleasures as Jimmy Stewart in It s aWonderful Life, Natalie Wood in Miracle on 34th Street, or even Jean Shepherd s wickedly funny 'A Christmas Story. If fall releases are typically serious films with Academy Award aspirations, then movies scheduled for November and (especially) December seemed gift-wrapped and designed for the whole family. But that may have changed forever last December, not with a bang or a whimper but with a Scream. CAPTION: (Clockwise) James Stewart, Donna Reed, Larry Simms, Carol Coones and Jimmy Hawkins in IT S A WONDERFUL LIFE, a story of a man, George Bailey (Stewart), who thinks he has failed in life and in a desperate moment on Christmas Eve, wants to give up living. BPI DIGITAL PHOTO REPUBLIC PICTURES less

119725 (BC-BPI-HOLIDAYTREND) Mention holiday movies and most folks thoughts probably drift to such sugar-plum pleasures as Jimmy Stewart in It s aWonderful Life, Natalie Wood in Miracle on 34th Street, or ... more

Photo: STF

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** ADVANCE FOR THURSDAY NOV 6 **Actors James Caan, right, and Will Ferrell appearin a scene from New Line Cinema's holiday film "Elf," in this undated promotional photo. Amid the blockbuster films like "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," Hollywood serves up a wealth of warmhearted fare to put audiences in the holiday spirit, including "Elf." ((AP Photo/New Line Productions, Pierre Vinet) less

** ADVANCE FOR THURSDAY NOV 6 **Actors James Caan, right, and Will Ferrell appearin a scene from New Line Cinema's holiday film "Elf," in this undated promotional photo. Amid the blockbuster films like "The ... more

FILE - This April 13, 2011 file photo, shows a MONOPOLY Property Trading Game, in Portland, Ore. Toy maker Hasbro Inc. said Monday, July 23, 2012 its second-quarter net income dropped 25 percent on weak sales in most categories as revenue in major product categories including boys, girls and games declined. But higher prices and cost-cutting helped the maker of Monopoly, Nerf and My Little Pony beat analysts' earnings expectations. Its shares rose nearly 4 percent. The second quarter is seasonally small for toy makers, which make the bulk of their sales during the second half of the year and the holiday season. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) less

Contestants compete during the 2012 World Cube Association's U.S. National Championship at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Aug. 4, 2012. In a world increasingly run by engineers and algorithms, the familiar Rubik's Cube has found a new relevance, engaging a new generation of puzzlers, many born decades after its initial heyday. (Isaac Brekken/The New York Times) less

Contestants compete during the 2012 World Cube Association's U.S. National Championship at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Aug. 4, 2012. In a world increasingly run by engineers and algorithms, the ... more

Photo: ISAAC BREKKEN

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FILE - This undated photo provided by Ohio Art shows a classic Etch A Sketch which was introduced in 1960. The Ohio Art Co., based in Bryan, Ohio, says 86-year-old Andre Cassagnes, the inventor of the Etch A Sketch, died Jan. 16, 2013, in a Paris suburb. The cause wasn't disclosed Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Ohio Art, File) less

FILE - This undated photo provided by Ohio Art shows a classic Etch A Sketch which was introduced in 1960. The Ohio Art Co., based in Bryan, Ohio, says 86-year-old Andre Cassagnes, the inventor of the Etch A ... more

Photo: Uncredited

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Play Along, a Division of JAKKS Pacific (NASDAQ: JAKK), unveiled its new Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Care Bear to retailers nationwide with a big birthday celebration in New York City. (PRNewsFoto/JAKKS Pacific, Inc.) less

Play Along, a Division of JAKKS Pacific (NASDAQ: JAKK), unveiled its new Limited Edition 25th Anniversary Care Bear to retailers nationwide with a big birthday celebration in New York City. (PRNewsFoto/JAKKS ... more

Photo: JAKKS PACIFIC, INC.

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This 1987 Camaro was purchased new, and seized in a drug forfeiture by Stratford, CT police in 1989, and turned into a DARE car. Jack Messore of Mechanicville now owns it. A Matchbox miniature car was made based on the real life version, and both were on display during the second annual Times Union Car Show, a fundraiser for the Times Union Hope Fund, put on by the paper and by In Motion and Rolis Muscle Cars,LLC, on Sunday Sept. 16, 2012 in Colonie, NY. (Philip Kamrass / Times Union) less

This 1987 Camaro was purchased new, and seized in a drug forfeiture by Stratford, CT police in 1989, and turned into a DARE car. Jack Messore of Mechanicville now owns it. A Matchbox miniature car was made ... more

Photo: Philip Kamrass

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Nintendo announced that its new Wii video game console will launch in the Americas on Nov. 19 at an MSRP of $249.99. The remarkable console comes packed with a collection of five sports games, called Wii Sports, as well as a Wii Remote, which lets players control action in their games through the motion of the controller itself. More than 30 games will be available for Wii by the end of the year. (PRNewsFoto/Nintendo) less

Nintendo announced that its new Wii video game console will launch in the Americas on Nov. 19 at an MSRP of $249.99. The remarkable console comes packed with a collection of five sports games, called Wii ... more

Photo: NINTENDO

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AP MEMBER FEATURE EXCHANGE FOR NOV. 2-3 - In this Oct. 10, 2013 photo, Parker Huggins of Sutton peers at the spaceship he is building at a meeting of the Sutton Lego Club at the public library in Sutton, Mass. In libraries and in some after-school programs across Central Massachusetts, Lego Clubs are popping up to let kids play and imagine together with a toy they can otherwise play with alone. (AP Photo/The Telegram & Gazette, Betty Jenewin) ORG XMIT: MAWOT201 less

AP MEMBER FEATURE EXCHANGE FOR NOV. 2-3 - In this Oct. 10, 2013 photo, Parker Huggins of Sutton peers at the spaceship he is building at a meeting of the Sutton Lego Club at the public library in Sutton, Mass. ... more

Photo: Betty Jenewin

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LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: Harry Collett, (9), plays with a Lego Coastguard Patrol set at a media event at St Mary's Church in Marylebone on November 6, 2013 in London, England. The Toy Retailers Association's Dream Toys chart, is an independent list of the predicted Christmas top 12 best-selling gifts for children. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 187340689 less

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: Harry Collett, (9), plays with a Lego Coastguard Patrol set at a media event at St Mary's Church in Marylebone on November 6, 2013 in London, England. The Toy Retailers ... more

Photo: Matthew Lloyd

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IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR LEGO SYSTEMS, INC. - A display of 33 new building sets based on the new original LEGO property Legends of CHIMA debuts at the American International Toy Fair on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2012, in New York. (Brian Ach/AP Images for LEGO Systems, Inc.) less

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR LEGO SYSTEMS, INC. - A display of 33 new building sets based on the new original LEGO property Legends of CHIMA debuts at the American International Toy Fair on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2012, in ... more

Photo: Brian Ach

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Hasbro shows previews of its new toys during the annual Toy Fair at The TimesCenter in New York, Feb. 9, 2013. To Hasbro, there is no one too young or too old to play with a Transformers robot, watch a Transformers television show or play a Transformers video game. (Marcus Yam/The New York Times) less

Hasbro shows previews of its new toys during the annual Toy Fair at The TimesCenter in New York, Feb. 9, 2013. To Hasbro, there is no one too young or too old to play with a Transformers robot, watch a ... more

Photo: MARCUS YAM

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Hasbro shows previews of its new toys during the annual Toy Fair at The TimesCenter in New York, Feb. 9, 2013. To Hasbro, there is no one too young or too old to play with a Transformers robot, watch a Transformers television show or play a Transformers video game. (Marcus Yam/The New York Times) less

Hasbro shows previews of its new toys during the annual Toy Fair at The TimesCenter in New York, Feb. 9, 2013. To Hasbro, there is no one too young or too old to play with a Transformers robot, watch a ... more

Photo: MARCUS YAM

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Hasbro shows previews of its new toys during the annual Toy Fair at The TimesCenter in New York, Feb. 9, 2013. To Hasbro, there is no one too young or too old to play with a Transformers robot, watch a Transformers television show or play a Transformers video game. (Marcus Yam/The New York Times) less

Hasbro shows previews of its new toys during the annual Toy Fair at The TimesCenter in New York, Feb. 9, 2013. To Hasbro, there is no one too young or too old to play with a Transformers robot, watch a ... more

Hasbro shows previews of its new toys during the annual Toy Fair at The TimesCenter in New York, Feb. 9, 2013. To Hasbro, there is no one too young or too old to play with a Transformers robot, watch a Transformers television show or play a Transformers video game. (Marcus Yam/The New York Times) less

Hasbro shows previews of its new toys during the annual Toy Fair at The TimesCenter in New York, Feb. 9, 2013. To Hasbro, there is no one too young or too old to play with a Transformers robot, watch a ... more

Photo: MARCUS YAM

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The Muppets' Holiday Classic, The Muppet Christmas Carol, is now available on DVD and will be televised on Disney Network during the week of Dec. 20. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Muppets' Holiday Classic, The Muppet Christmas Carol, is now available on DVD and will be televised on Disney Network during the week of Dec. 20. (Photo: Business Wire)

Photo: MUPPETS HOLDING COMPANY

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Chevy Chase stars as a disillusioned family man who is determined to have a happy holiday in ''National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'' Sunday on NBC.

Chevy Chase stars as a disillusioned family man who is determined to have a happy holiday in ''National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation'' Sunday on NBC.

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Mrs. Claus, the elves and the reindeer try to convince a depressed Santa that the world needs him in ''The Year Without a Santa Claus'' Wednesday on ABC Family.

Mrs. Claus, the elves and the reindeer try to convince a depressed Santa that the world needs him in ''The Year Without a Santa Claus'' Wednesday on ABC Family.

** FILE ** Bruce Springsteen, second from right, and The E Street Band perform Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002, at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo. Band members from left include Nils Lofgren on guitar, Clarence Clemons on Saxophone, Bruce Springsteen on guitar, Steven Van Zandt on guitar and Max Weinberg on drums. Springsteen and the E Street Band will be one of the first acts at the Arena at Gwinnett Center, a 13,000-seat venue 25 miles northeast of Atlanta in suburban Gwinnett County,Feb.28,2003.(AP Photo/The Kansas City Star, John Sleezer) less

** FILE ** Bruce Springsteen, second from right, and The E Street Band perform Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002, at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo. Band members from left include Nils Lofgren on guitar, Clarence ... more

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Musician Jose Feliciano performs during a National Parks celebration hosted by the National Parks Conservation Association and PBS at Central Park on September 23, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for NPCA) less

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Musician Jose Feliciano performs during a National Parks celebration hosted by the National Parks Conservation Association and PBS at Central Park on September 23, 2009 in New York ... more

Photo: Theo Wargo

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Holiday cheers

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Welcome to the 2013 All-Star Holiday Bracket Competition.

Regular readers like you know that for the past four years, we've conducted holiday-themed, March Madness-style bracket competitions to help determine the Capital Region's No. 1 holiday song, movie, TV special and toy.

This year, we revisit those four categories, bringing back the Great 8 from each of the past four years for some high-impact, family friendly holiday-themed competition.

What's new this year is that we want you to get into the action even more. Instead of just voting on your favorites in weekly matchups, we're offering two people the chance of winning $100 Colonie Center gift certificates.

Right now, fill in the ballot, which can be found in Thursday's Preview section of the print edition of the Times Union, and get it into the Times Union by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19 (this will likely mean that you should mail it in by Saturday), or enter online by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at http://blog.timesunion.com/localarts Voting in Round 1 will begin the morning of Thursday, Nov. 21, online on the Arts Talk blog at http://blog.timesunion.com/localarts Each week, a new round of voting will be conducted online until we get to a winner, sometime in mid-December.

More Information

From all the entries that pick the correct final winner, we will randomly pick two winners. The winners must be able to pick up their prizes at the Times Union.

If no one picks the final winner, we will draw winners from those who have correctly picked the two contestants in the final matchup. If no one has picked the correct final matchup, then we will draw winners from those who have picked at least one contestant in the final matchup.

Rules

Bracket entries must be filled in completely.

Photocopies of the print ballot are not allowed.

Paper brackets must be in the Times Union newsroom by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19. This is not the postmark deadline, so mail the ballots in a few days earlier, such as Saturday. Mail your brackets to All-Star Holiday Bracket, care of Michael Janairo, Times Union, Box 15000, Albany, NY 12212.

Bracket entries may also be entered online. The official entry form and rules appear at http://blog.timesunion.com/localarts Note: the online form will ask for your name and contact information, as well as your guess for the final matchup and the final winner. (The online form won't ask for your complete bracket.)

Multiple entries by the same individual are not allowed. Incomplete or illegible entries are not eligible.

This contest is open to anyone, except employees of the Times Union, the Hearst Corp., its subsidiaries, advertising agencies and media companies, other participating contest sponsors or prize providers, Times Union delivery agents or dealers or their employees and members of the immediate family or household of any of the above.

Winners will be contacted by telephone or email, and the winning entry will be announced online and in the Times Union.

The odds of winning are determined by the number of eligible entries received.